The Season

From the Daily Prophet of 17 May, 2000

Enough of Fudge's folly

By Melpomene Fitzgerald

It seems things never get any better for scandal-plagued Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge.

Barely a week after he declared the struggle against Dark magic concluded at ceremonies marking the anniversary of He-Who-Need-Not-Be-Named-Anymore's final defeat, Britain's chief warlock has again found himself at odds with many of the nation's most influential wizards. Perhaps, this time it will cost him his job.

As always seems to be the case, Harry Potter is at the centre of the Minister's latest headache. On Friday, the Boy Who Lived apprehended Peter Pettigrew, one of the last alleged inner-circle Death Eaters still at large, after a three-month search of the London Underground.

Though his actions in the service of the late Dark Lord are largely unknown, don't be surprised if Pettigrew's name strikes you as familiar. He is the same wizard who was awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, in 1981 for confronting Sirius Black, the presumed betrayer of the Boy Who Lived's parents, Lily and James Potter. What complicates the story is that Pettigrew supposedly died in that confrontation along with a dozen Muggle bystanders. Black was blamed for all 13 murders and sent to Azkaban without trial, while Pettigrew became a posthumous hero.

That this same Peter Pettigrew is a still-living Dark wizard, a fact confirmed by sources within the Magical Law Enforcement Squad, is in itself enough to throw serious doubt on the entire account of the events of more than 18 years ago. Add in the fact Harry Potter and other honourable wizards have long maintained Black -- who escaped from Azkaban in 1993 and died fighting alongside the Order of the Phoenix in the first battle of the recent war in 1996 -- was completely innocent, and there seems to be clear grounds for the case to be reconsidered.

According to high-ranking Ministry sources, that is just what the Boy Who Lived argued when he met with Minister Fudge on Monday to ask for Black's posthumous exoneration. Not surprisingly, Fudge refused.

"Sirius Black was a dangerous man, a murderer," the Minister told the Daily Prophet. "Nothing Potter, or anyone else, can say is going to make me change my mind."

This one statement seems to epitomize the entirety of the Fudge regime. Whether it be his refusal to recognize the truth of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return, his paranoid fear Albus Dumbledore was seeking to depose him, or his total disregard for the Death Eaters remaining at large after the Dark Lord's fall, the Minister has never once allowed reason to change his mind before it was too late.

While it's not on the life-or-death scale of his previous blunders, the Minister's latest controversy could result in one significant casualty -- his own hold on power.

The opposition is already lining up behind Harry Potter in the Wizengamot. Respected members Dumbledore, Arthur Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks, with a growing number of supporters, are said to be pushing for Black's case to be reopened. Should they gather enough votes to restore the apparently wrongfully imprisoned's good name, they would also have the power to bring down the government with a no-confidence vote.

We can only hope.

The Minister's intransigence, inaction and idiocy have repeatedly left Britain's magical community vulnerable and violated. Only a new government -- one that will respond to difficulties, not ignore them -- will be able to prevent further ruin the next time the Dark side rises to challenge this nation's tranquillity. In short, the time for change is now.

The response of Fudge's closest supporters is as predictable as a hinkypunk in a hayfield and almost as compelling. "Who else is qualified to be Minister?" they ask every time a change on the First Level is suggested, and not without justification. Albus Dumbledore has flatly and repeatedly refused to leave Hogwarts, Kingsley Shacklebolt has been implicated in illegally giving aid and information to the Order of the Phoenix before the start of the war, and most of the rest of the high-ranking members of the pre-war government were, or maintained close dealings with, Death Eaters. There is, however, one man within the Ministry who is qualified and unquestionably beyond ethical reproach. He is none other than Harry Potter.

Though only 19, the Boy Who Lived is already the nation's most distinguished Auror. He is thoroughly experienced in fighting Dark magic after his long-time struggle against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his subsequent capture of notable Death Eaters Pettigrew, Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Mr. Potter is even familiar with the more underhanded workings of the government. He was the target of one of Fudge's wizard hunts in 1995 (for the seemingly insignificant and unavoidable crime of using life-saving magic in front of a Muggle) and spent almost two years in the Ministry's service -- simultaneously struggling against the last of Britain's Dark wizards and the autocracy of a leadership that wanted the war forgotten before it was over.

What is most important about Mr. Potter, however, is the fact that he has the respect of every one of Britain's decent witches and wizards. That's something he's earned through his stand for the truth and his selfless commitment to what is right.

"Harry is a great lad," said Mundungus Fletcher, who served alongside Potter within the Order of the Phoenix and has since been elected to the Wizengamot. "He's brave, honourable and even fun. He would make a fine Minister. If his name were to come up, I'd bloody well vote for him. I know most of my colleagues would too."

In short, the Boy Who Lived has proven his ability to beat back evil, symbolizes integrity, has experience with the workings of the government and is easily electable. All we, the good witches and warlocks of Great Britain, need to do is make public the inner belief we have all carried these last 17 years -- a faith that Harry Potter will always find a way to triumph over whatever darkness might threaten us -- to make that truth the foundation of our government.

The young man who has already been leading us for so long should be the next Minister of Magic, if only to put an end to the constant folly of Cornelius Fudge.

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Melpomene Fitzgerald is the Daily Prophet's political columnist. Owl her at [email protected].

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Article #2

From the Daily Prophet of 23 May, 2000

A troubling transfer

Boy Who Lived on the move to Nimbus Arena, sort of

By Mike Thalia

PUDDLEMERE, England -- What's the value of a good name? In the case of Harry Potter, the answer is apparently 100,000 galleons.

In a move that left all of British Quidditch stunned, Puddlemere United bought the rights to the Boy Who Lived from Chudley for that huge sum Monday. The question now is whether the national hero will ever be more than a name on a contract at Nimbus Arena.

United manager Glenn Watson seems to think so.

"Our sources lead us to believe Mr. Potter is going to be suiting up," the coach said in a news conference here announcing the transfer. "By that, we mean soon. We hope and expect to see him in a Puddlemere uniform this season or next."

Such confidence might justify a big-money gamble on any other star, but it seems to fly in the face of Potter's professional Quidditch history. After signing his first contract with Chudley shortly after leaving Hogwarts two years ago, the Seeker abandoned the game to continue his famous and leading role in the struggle against the Dark Arts. He has never taken part in a match or training session at the professional level and never publicly stated an intention to do so.

Said Watson, "We know we are taking something of a risk. But it's one we think will pay off nicely over time."

Owls sent to Potter seeking comment on the transfer and his plans were not returned. However, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Boy Who Lived's immediate superior within the Ministry of Magic's Auror Division, seemed to cast doubt on Puddlemere's optimism.

"I don't know anything about Harry wanting to play Quidditch. You had better ask him about that," Britain's chief Auror said. "But he hasn't given any indication he intends to leave his job here. No one is more committed than Harry Potter to capturing the last of the Death Eaters, and there are still a few of them out there."

As long as he stays in the Ministry's employment, Potter's future on the pitch will remain in limbo. That was enough to make the higher-ups in Chudley delighted with Monday's move.

"From our perspective, this was a deal that was impossible to refuse," Cannons owner David Thomas said. "As great as it has been having Harry under contract, his actual value to us has been nil so far. To receive the transfer fee we did for a total unknown is a huge boost for the Chudley Cannons."

Though the official terms were not announced, if the 100,000-Galleon figure reported to the Daily Prophet by sources close to the negotiations is accurate, the transfer fee will shatter the Quidditch League of Great Britain and Ireland's record for an untested player. In the just-completed season the last-place Cannons' entire first seven earned a total of 92,000 galleons.

But the mountain of gold ventured wasn't the only thing that had top league officials from Wimbourne to the Isle of Skye scratching their heads.

"It strikes me as a bizarre move," said manger Edmund Worthington, whose league-champion Montrose Magpies finished two games ahead of Puddlemere over the winter. "Even if (Potter) decides to play, United has no place for him. They already have one of the world's finest Seekers."

Worthington is referring to Samuel Diop, the Senegalese International who reached superstar status by almost single-handedly guiding his country to the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup. He has been nearly as successful at the club level, with a league-best 19 captures last season as Puddlemere posted its best record (18-6) and league finish (third) in a decade.

"Obviously we're really pleased with the way he's played," Watson said of Diop, who is under contract at Nimbus Arena for two more seasons. "We just think that Harry can also make a contribution to this club."

United Keeper Oliver Wood, who captained Potter for three years on the Gryffindor House team at Hogwarts, agreed. "No offence to Sam, but Harry is the most naturally gifted Seeker I've ever seen. If he decides to play at this level, he will excel or die trying."

The Boy Who Lived did enjoy exceptional success in schoolboy play. Though he won only two Hogwarts Quidditch Cups, he caught the Snitch in 11 of his 12 matches and was the school's first first-year player in well over a hundred years. Nevertheless, some experts looking at the young man's two years away from his broom, the difficulty in the transition from the amateur to the professional game and Potter's celebrity were quick to label the move a publicity stunt.

"That's the only logical explanation I can come up with," Worthington said. "If Puddlemere sells a heap more tickets because it has Harry Potter, then this transfer makes sense even if it doesn't help at all on the pitch."

If ticket higher gate receipts were Puddlemere's goal, the early returns should please owner Meredith Mason. Employees at the Nimbus Arena ticket office reported the sale of nearly 200 season passes between the announcement of Potter's acquisition and the close of business Monday. That's more than 20 times a typical day's sales.

"I want to see Harry Potter!" exclaimed United fan Lisa Turpin as she purchased her seats. "It is just so cool that he's going to be on our team!"

The same excitement wasn't to be found in Chudley, where a handful of protesters gathered outside Cannon Coliseum after news of the transfer became public. Leading the ragtag band of orange-clad rooters was 20-year-old Ron Weasley, a lifelong Cannons supporter whose levitated "Keep H.P." sign flashed for all to see.

"Harry Potter is a brilliant player. He could have raised the Cannons to a level they haven't achieved in over a century," Weasley said morosely. "It's a shame the ownership doesn't appreciate what a good thing it had."

With just over 100 days left until the new season and Potter's status uncertain, fans of both clubs might have very different opinions of the transaction by opening day.

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Mike Thalia covers Puddlemere United for the Daily Prophet. Owl him at [email protected].

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From the Daily Prophet of 26 May, 2000

Potter calls it quits

Boy Who Lived forced out of Auror Division

By Cliotus Hearst

LONDON -- Dark wizards and witches all over Europe are feeling a good deal safer this morning. Harry Potter is off the case.

Under apparent pressure from an adversarial administration, the Boy Who Lived turned in his resignation from the Ministry of Magic's Auror Division on Thursday. For a nation still facing the after-effects of the recent war, it was an unexpected blow that will leave many feeling vulnerable to the lingering influences of Darkness.

"The administration is sad to hear of Mr. Potter's departure," Percy Weasley, the special assistant to Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, said in a statement. "He has been of great service to his nation and the government would like to join the magical community of Britain in thanking him. We wish Mr. Potter well in his future ventures."

Minister Fudge would not comment on the situation, though all indications are he had much to do with Thursday's resignation.

"This was a resignation in name only," said a high-ranking Ministry official on the condition of anonymity. "The administration believes Mr. Potter was using his place within the government to position himself for a run at the Minister's office. Minister Fudge saw that as a threat that needed to be removed immediately. He made it clear to Mr. Potter that, if he didn't quit, he would have been fired next week."

Potter, who could not be reached for comment, has achieved successes to rival his celebrated conflict with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named since he was given a special appointment to the Auror Division in July of 1998. Within the last 15 months, Potter, 19, has orchestrated the successive captures of a trio of leading Death Eaters: Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew.

"The Minister has watched Mr. Potter topple one Dark wizard after another for two years. I think he fears that he might be next," the source said. "It's the same sort of mentality we saw when the Minister suspected Professor Dumbledore before You-Know-Who's return was confirmed."

"The Minister is jealous. It's that simple," said Wizengamot member Mundungus Fletcher. "He can't match any of the things Harry has done so he is protecting his image the only way he can -- by forcing Harry out."

Whether his motivation was jealousy, paranoia or both, Fudge's move to displace Potter could have a profound effect on national security.

"Make no mistake, there are still Dark wizards out there -- lots of them," legendary former Auror Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody warned. "We need constant vigilance in order to prevail, not to be getting rid of our most proven fighters."

The Ministry's head Auror, Kingsley Shacklebolt, was quick to deny Potter's departure would result in an increased threat to the public. "I want everyone to know that this is not a reason to panic," he said. "Dark magic will always be a threat but there are no indications of immediate danger, and the Aurors are always on duty to keep that from changing."

However, the Boy Who Lived's obviously stunned former boss did indicate the loss would have an effect on his unit. "Harry was my best man. All the Aurors are powerful witches and wizards, but none of the others can match Harry's intensity and passion. He cannot be replaced."

Thursday's resignation concludes the latest in a series of highly publicized clashes between the Boy Who Lived and Minister Fudge. The two have been at odds since 1995 when the Minister questioned Potter's sanity after the then 14-year-old reported witnessing the restoration of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Their animosity grew over the following year as Fudge suspected Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore of sabotaging his regime and refused to accept the truth of the Dark Lord's return. At one point, the Minister even sought to have the Boy Who Lived expelled from Hogwarts for underage use of magic.

After the Dark side brought war to the Ministry itself in 1996, the fighting forced the two factions back together. But, when Potter vanquished He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named two years later, he clashed again with the Minister over the threat posed by the Dark Lord's remaining supporters. Only after the Death Eaters' subsequent attack on Diagon Alley did Fudge grant his rival his position as an Auror.

The most recent argument between the two began a fortnight ago when the Boy Who Lived captured evidence -- in the form of Death Eater Peter Pettigrew -- that cast doubt on the murder sentence of his own godfather, the late Sirius Black. Though Pettigrew was one of the 13 people Black was charged with killing, Minister Fudge rejected Potter's request that the alleged Dark wizard be granted a posthumous exoneration and even refused to have the case reconsidered.

Now that he has resigned, the Boy Who Lived's only recourse -- for both his godfather's good name and his own future in the Ministry -- rests with his many supporters in the Wizengamot.

"I only hope we get a chance to rectify what happened today," said Fletcher, who has stated publicly he would support Potter in a bid for Minister of Magic. "It's Fudge who should be going, not Harry."

As he waits for the council to act, unemployment leaves Potter free to contemplate a list of job options that would make most wizards drool. Sources within the Auror Division told the Daily Prophet that the Boy Who Lived has been contacted by no less than a dozen prominent wizarding-world companies about spokesmanship positions within the last two years.

"Who wouldn't want Harry Potter's name associated with their products?" asked Gladrags executive Winston Tailor, whose company offered Potter 250,000 galleons for an endorsement deal. "We have a new line of tartan boxers coming out and our sales would double if he would pitch them."

A more well-known and anticipated possibility for Potter is a professional Quidditch career. The former Gryffindor Seeker's rights belong to Puddlemere United after the club paid a reported 100,000 galleons for him Monday.

"We were very upset to hear Harry is leaving the Ministry on such bad terms," said United manager Glenn Watson. "We just want him to know we have faith in his skills and that, whenever and however he decides to play Quidditch again, there will be a job for him with Puddlemere."

It seems Potter's future is assured whether he decides to make it in the Ministry or elsewhere. With his powerful allies and countless desirable choices, even the open antipathy of the government can do little to make the Boy Who Lived's life less comfortable.

Instead, the consequences of Thursday's resignation will be greatest in the Auror Division. Minister Fudge's political manoeuvring will force the nation's Dark wizard hunters to carry on the dangerous pursuit of the last of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's supporters without their finest member.

Meanwhile, Britain's common witches and wizards are left to wonder if their safety has been put at risk.

"Harry Potter is my hero,..." said Braden Sullivan, 6, of Reading. "I'm scared because they're not letting him protect us from the bad wizards anymore."

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Cliotus Hearst covers the Ministry of Magic for the Daily Prophet. Owl him at [email protected].